Papers, 1950-1985 (inclusive),

Series I. Correspondence, consists of correspondence between Dowell and many famous authors and well-known personalities dating from the early 1960s through 1984, for example, Maurice Sendak, Gilbert Sorrentino, Carl Van Vechten, and Edmund White.

Series II. Published and Unpublished Works, contains reviews pertaining to his published works, and some correspondence, mostly from friends or admirers regarding a particular novel, short story, etc. This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Novels and Short Stories; and Subseries B: Plays and Dramatic Writings. The bulk of Dowell's published works is mainly his novels; unpublished material consists of plays, poems, and miscellaneous writings. Much of the material in Subseries B are copies of Dowell's published novels or plays which he used as research material for other projects. The series also contains The Great Godalmighty Bird- a long, unpublished play with songs, personal correspondence, lists of scenes for the plays and themes, and short two- or three-character plays.

Series III. Musical Works and Lyrics, spans the years from the 1950s to 1960s. The bulk of the material falls in the year 1961 when his largest theatrical work, The Tatooed Countess, opened on Broadway. The work contains book, lyrics, and score by Dowell and signifies the major effort of his theatrical production. Dowell's second largest musical effort, Haymarket, although unfinished, also contains a large number of musical works and lyrics. Most of Dowell's theatrical works are heavily annotated. The lists of song titles included in this material provide an opportunity to study Dowell's creative processes, as he changed or reworked his material. It is not unusual to find a lyric assigned to one of Dowell's musicals also appearing in another of his theatrical works.

Dowell's music and lyrics from the 1950-1953 television series, Once Upon A Tune, are included in the Collection. Although Dowell composed nearly one thousand songs for the weekly broadcast of this show over its run, most of these are not included in his papers.

Series IV. Writings by Others and Miscellaneous Materials, contains photographs of Coleman Dowell, family members and other individuals. Correspondence is interfiled with typescripts, plays, novels, short stories, poems, etc., written by other people.

Abstract:

Series I. Correspondence, consists of correspondence between Dowell and many famous authors and well-known personalities dating from the early 1960s through 1984, for example, Maurice Sendak, Gilbert Sorrentino, Carl Van Vechten, and Edmund White.

Series II. Published and Unpublished Works, contains reviews pertaining to his published works, and some correspondence, mostly from friends or admirers regarding a particular novel, short story, etc. This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Novels and Short Stories; and Subseries B: Plays and Dramatic Writings. The bulk of Dowell's published works is mainly his novels; unpublished material consists of plays, poems, and miscellaneous writings. Much of the material in Subseries B are copies of Dowell's published novels or plays which he used as research material for other projects. The series also contains The Great Godalmighty Bird- a long, unpublished play with songs, personal correspondence, lists of scenes for the plays and themes, and short two- or three-character plays.

Series III. Musical Works and Lyrics, spans the years from the 1950s to 1960s. The bulk of the material falls in the year 1961 when his largest theatrical work, The Tatooed Countess, opened on Broadway. The work contains book, lyrics, and score by Dowell and signifies the major effort of his theatrical production. Dowell's second largest musical effort, Haymarket, although unfinished, also contains a large number of musical works and lyrics. Most of Dowell's theatrical works are heavily annotated. The lists of song titles included in this material provide an opportunity to study Dowell's creative processes, as he changed or reworked his material. It is not unusual to find a lyric assigned to one of Dowell's musicals also appearing in another of his theatrical works.

Dowell's music and lyrics from the 1950-1953 television series, Once Upon A Tune, are included in the Collection. Although Dowell composed nearly one thousand songs for the weekly broadcast of this show over its run, most of these are not included in his papers.

Series IV. Writings by Others and Miscellaneous Materials, contains photographs of Coleman Dowell, family members and other individuals. Correspondence is interfiled with typescripts, plays, novels, short stories, poems, etc., written by other people.

"Series I. Correspondence, consists of correspondence between Dowell and many famous authors and well-known personalities dating from the early 1960s through 1984, for example, Maurice Sendak, Gilbert Sorrentino, Carl Van Vechten, and Edmund White."

"Series III. Musical Works and Lyrics, spans the years from the 1950s to 1960s. The bulk of the material falls in the year 1961 when his largest theatrical work, The Tatooed Countess, opened on Broadway. The work contains book, lyrics, and score by Dowell and signifies the major effort of his theatrical production. Dowell's second largest musical effort, Haymarket, although unfinished, also contains a large number of musical works and lyrics. Most of Dowell's theatrical works are heavily annotated. The lists of song titles included in this material provide an opportunity to study Dowell's creative processes, as he changed or reworked his material. It is not unusual to find a lyric assigned to one of Dowell's musicals also appearing in another of his theatrical works."

"Series II. Published and Unpublished Works, contains reviews pertaining to his published works, and some correspondence, mostly from friends or admirers regarding a particular novel, short story, etc. This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Novels and Short Stories; and Subseries B: Plays and Dramatic Writings. The bulk of Dowell's published works is mainly his novels; unpublished material consists of plays, poems, and miscellaneous writings. Much of the material in Subseries B are copies of Dowell's published novels or plays which he used as research material for other projects. The series also contains The Great Godalmighty Bird- a long, unpublished play with songs, personal correspondence, lists of scenes for the plays and themes, and short two- or three-character plays."

"Dowell's music and lyrics from the 1950-1953 television series, Once Upon A Tune, are included in the Collection. Although Dowell composed nearly one thousand songs for the weekly broadcast of this show over its run, most of these are not included in his papers."

"Series IV. Writings by Others and Miscellaneous Materials, contains photographs of Coleman Dowell, family members and other individuals. Correspondence is interfiled with typescripts, plays, novels, short stories, poems, etc., written by other people."